The software and data at this site are research products and are not public in the same sense as products available through data centers such as the NASA Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAAC), the NOAA Satellite Active Archive (SAA), or the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). They are being made available with the intention of fostering collaboration between you and us. They are free, where "free" means that they are available at no cost, but does not mean unconditional use. In order to ensure that they are being used as intended, please send us a note with a brief description of your application. While we have tried to make clear their limitations, there will almost certainly be some applications that we have not addressed, and for which the data or programs are not well-suited. Additionally, if the software or data will play a significant role in a publication, the developer(s) should be included as co-author(s).
The software and data available at this site are distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL). They are distributed as "freeware". Except when otherwise stated in writing they are provided as is without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the programs and data is with you. Should the programs prove defective or the data prove erroneous, the author is under no obligation whatsoever to correct them. In no event will the author, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the University of Wisconsin, or any other party who may modify and/or redistribute the programs be liable to you for damages, including any general, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the programs or data. The software and data are distributed as "researchware", and are not official NOAA or University of Wisconsin products.
Export control regulations have been reviewed for both Department of Commerce Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and Department of State International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Based on this review, software available on the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), University of Wisconsin-Madison web site that was developed by NOAA personnel, or jointly by NOAA and CIMSS personnel, has been determined to be exempt from export control regulations. A memo is available with more information about this assessment.